“Pardon me, madam,� he replied coolly, “there is only one woman, anywhere.�

She resumed her embroidery, and began to rock her chair a little. There was a long silence after that, which she was the one to break.

“Who is she?� Madge demanded.

“I have already told you that, madam; the one woman.�

“Where is she?�

He did not reply. She abandoned the question, knowing that he would not reply to it.

“Is she beautiful?� she demanded.

“Very.�

“As beautiful as I am?�

“More beautiful.� Lynne replied without an instant of hesitation; without regard to the effect of such a reply upon her.